MUMBAI: On the occasion of Women‘s Day, Godrej Nupur, the Mehendi brand of Godrej Consumer Products Limited. (GCPL) launched ‘Nupur Jagruti-Dahej Ke Khilaf Ek Awaz‘ an initiative to Stand against Dowry. Citizens pledged their support to this anti-dowry campaign by forming a human chain in a bid to express their stance at the Gateway of India, Mumbai.

The campaign was flagged off by Pirojsha Godrej (son of Adi Godrej). Also eminent personalities, like Poonam Dhillon, Sam Balsara - Chairman & Managing Director-Madison World, Mr. Hari Singh Arora - President, Rotary Club of Mumbai, along with R. K. Sinha - Executive Vice President-Marketing & Operations, GCPL and B. S. Sodhi -Executive Vice President-Sales, GCPL joined hands for the cause.

Announcing this initiative, Mr. Pirojsha Godrej stated, "It is unfortunate that even in these modern times, the dowry system prevails in our country in various forms. It is so ironic that Indian women have made their presence felt on the global level, but still Indians haven‘t been able to entirely shake off this age-old tradition. ‘Nupur Jagruti‘, is India‘s biggest anti-dowry campaign, which will build awareness against dowry, empower women and citizens and I am glad to be a part of this valiant initiative. I am sure that this campaign will be instrumental in changing the mindsets and curbing this evil practice"

To make the occasion a memorable one, GCPL has also launched a website, www.nupurjagruti.com. The website provides help to women, oppressed by dowry, by furnishing them with useful information such as helpline numbers, contact details of NGO‘s, relevant government laws & regulations extra. Every individual who wants to pledge support to this cause can do so by logging on the website.

Mehendi forms an integral part of Indian marriages. ‘Nupur Jagruti - Dahej Ke Khilaf Ek Awaz‘ has been aimed to provide a platform for not only those oppressed by dowry, but for every individual who is deeply concerned about this issue and wish to help.

MUMBAI: What does Jaipur like to wake up to? The melodious voice of peppy radio jockey‘s, the familiarity of their mother tongue, lots of gossip, news, views, scintillating melodies, latest soundtracks and more. And where do they find all this, only on Radio Mirchi 98.3 FM, it‘s truly ‘HOT‘.

Ten months since its launch in April last year, Radio Mirchi 98.3 FM continues to pull in new listeners, retain existing fans and multiply listenership, extending its lead as Jaipur‘s leading radio station. According to the recent findings of a study conducted by IMRB International, India‘s largest research agency, Radio Mirchi 98.3 FM in Jaipur is a dominant number one, across various age groups and socio-economic classes. The results have once again reinforced the strong position of the radio station in a highly competitive and rapidly changing Indian radio market.

The total average daily listenership of radio is 11.35 lakh in Jaipur. Radio Mirchi tops the listenership stakes with 6.11 lakh; followed by Tadka with 4.39 lakh and Radio City with 3.56 lakh listeners. SFM, My FM and Pink City follow with 2.88 lakh, 2.41 lakh and 1.46 lakh listeners respectively.

Commenting on its leadership status in the city, Pankaj Raina, Station Director, Radio Mirchi, said, "Radio Mirchi is not only the numero uno radio station in Jaipur, it is also far ahead from its nearest competitor by over 40%. A well researched product, strong Bollywood connect, 24 hours of hit music, sound understanding of the city and our target audiences, are some of the key contributors for our success in Jaipur."

The sample size was 1120 across SEC‘s and age groups (15+) and the fieldwork was conducted in February 2007. The methodology used was Day After Recall (DAR) which is also the methodology used for the Indian Listenership Track in Mumbai, Delhi and Kolkata (conducted by MRUC A C Nielson).

Radio Mirchi is India‘s largest private radio network and is owned by Entertainment Network (India) Limited (ENIL). ENIL is India‘s first pure play radio broadcasting company to be listed. ENIL launched its first radio station in the city of Indore on October 2001. At present Radio Mirchi is operational in 10 cities i.e. Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai, Hyderabad, Bangalore, Jaipur, Indore, Ahmedabad and Pune. Radio Mirchi is considered to be the leader in the private FM radio industry and will shortly be operational in twenty-two additional cities.

MUMBAI: Today‘s episode of Kaun Banega Champu on FILMY brings you the deadly combination of cricket and cinema.The attraction of this show is Thakur from Sholay and the quote a minute Buddhu (Navjot Siddhu) from the cricket field.

Don‘t miss the opportunity to watch the effervescent host Sunil Grover aka Ruk Ruk Khan spoof one of Indian Cinemas greatest actors and one of the sporting world‘s greatest hero on Kaun Banega Champu on FILMY at 7.30pm.

The episode starts with Thakur Sahab as a roll over contestant. Ruk Ruk Khan asks him: revolver mein kitni goliyaan hoti hai? Thakur does not know the answer. Ruk Ruk tries to help him by counting on his fingers but Thakur is myopic.

His next question is tum paas aaye? kis film ka gaana hai? Thakur uses the pipeline (help line) kaun hai friend, calls basanti‘s mausi and when mausi replies kuch kuch hota hai, an excited Thakur discovers love and runs away making way or Buddhu (Navjot Sing Buddhu)

Buddhu speaks so much that Ruk Ruk finds it difficult to even introduce him. Buddu keeps laughing over nothing. He is asked funny questions like MUNH MEIN KITNE DAANT HOTE HAIN? AND KOI LADKI AGAR AAPKO DEKHKAR MUSKURAYE, THO USKI SANDAL KA NUMBER KYA HOGA?

Budhu uses a pipeline and calls Azhar who replies: the boys played well! Towards the end, Ruk Ruk usually gets call from padosi ki biwi but this time its buddhu‘s wife.

The show ends with the regular dose of Ruk Ruk Khan ka Chhuk Chhuk Gyaan. As usual the show is a laugh riot. So keep watching Kaun Banega Champu and enjoy the non-stop nonsense!

MUMBAI: Men love him?women love him? kids love him? critics love him? cynics love him? everybody loves him! Versatility is now being touted as his latest virtue! This trendy nawab actually surprised audiences by getting a rural dialect pitch perfect in his recent big hit- Omkara! Karan‘s first guest this week is a superstar, a fighter, a survivor, but most importantly? the actor- Saif Ali Khan. His second guest is a member of Saif‘s family and a representative of Gen-Next in Bollywood.

An actress who has strongly made her presence felt in one of the most acclaimed films of 2006- Rang De Basanti - Soha Ali Khan! Meet the royal brother-sister duo in an exciting and heartwarming episode, this Sunday, March 11th at 9 p.m. only on Star One and Star World only on Koffee with Karan!

Saif opens his heart out on the show, discussing several topics varying from films, marriage, kids, family and Rosa! He tells Karan how it feels being the first metrosexual hero, Indian cinema has to offer? He talks about how Vishal Bhardwaj approached him to play the part of Langda Tyagi in Omkara and the fact that he was initially very apprehensive about playing the part! For the first time ever he discusses on camera, about how his life and responsibilities have changed dramatically post his marital split and how he feels he could have handled the situation in a better manner- more man-style! He confesses on the show that one day he would love to be friends with his ex-wife Amrita Singh! Saif also talks about his Italian girlfriend Rosa and how he hopes that things work out for them in the future. On the other hand, Soha shares her thoughts on her biggest hit Rang De Basanti.

She admits that she is very proud of her brother‘s success and fifteen years back she would have never expected him to be the superstar he is today! She also confesses that at present she is single but she strongly believes in the institution of marriage and is eagerly looking forward to it! She also dismisses the bizarre rumor that the Prince of Morocco proposed to her!

And just when the question-answer session wraps up and the duo heaves a sigh of relief, Karan announces the rapid fire round? Which two mainstream actresses would Saif like to see in a catfight? Who will he choose between Shah Rukh and Aamir? Which movie does he prefer between Omkara and Kal Ho Na Ho? Which actors would Soha like as teachers in her own "masti ki pathshala"? Which movie does she like Saif‘s performance best in? Whom does she choose out of Rakeysh Om Prakash Mehra and Aditya Chopra? Who takes the hamper home? Saif or Soha? Karan definitely has a tough time deciding the winner of the most desired possession on his show - the coffee hamper!

Excerpts from the interview:

Karan: When you came in.. you were criticized for being too western and no one really thought you will make it to the point you have! And now you are considered the first metrosexual hero that Indian cinema has to offer.

Saif: You better stop that because apparently it‘s quite in after the Bond film to be rugged! So don‘t call me metrosexy now!

Karan: We don‘t know what the word really means!

Saif: is it Gay?

Karan: No its not! It‘s definitely not gay!

Saif: Yeah! We know what it means.. I mean I do have a couple of creams in my bathroom that I like to use!

Karan: And do you go for a manicure or pedicure?

Saif: Once in a while! I feel having really ragged nails and split cuticles is no good! People judge people by their hands. I was told that! I look at hands quite a lot!

Karan: Oh dear! (Hiding hands)

Karan: Omkara and versatility of course the superstardom! Does it surprise you?

Saif: I won‘t call it superstardom!

Karan: It is! I‘m calling it that and I‘m from the inner circles of the film fraternity so if I‘m saying it.. it must be true!

Saif: You are the circle of the film fraternity!

Karan: No I‘m not! You are viable commercially? your critics love you ? everyone loves you! I know I‘m gushing right now but it‘s all true!

Saif: I think I‘ve been at it for sometime and I‘ve learnt and grown. With all this also comes a sense of responsibility and this is my life! I‘m really not capable of doing anything else as rewarding in every way- emotionally, financially. This is all I can do and I‘m happy I can do it well! But its become more than getting happy.. getting a compliment or something? There‘s a long way to go! There‘s an entire life to take care of. This is my way of supporting myself and very seriously it‘s my career? it‘s what drives me! I‘ve learnt that I need to do it and it‘s very much a part of who I am?

Karan: How did you think things worked out for Saif? Did you think he would be where he is today?

Soha: Fifteen years ago? No!

Karan: Do you feel proud of him today?

Soha: Hugely! I‘ve seen all his films!

Karan: Contrary to you!

Saif: In many cases that‘s quite an achievement!

Soha: I haven‘t seen all of them! I‘ve seen all the good ones and I‘m so proud of him and of what he‘s achieved. I‘ve spent more time with him in the last 3 years and now that I‘m also working in films I end up meeting him more often even if it‘s on the set.

Karan: So is there anyone around?

Soha: No? not at the moment!

Karan: Your single?

Soha: Yes? single..

Karan: No Prince of Morocco?

Soha: No! That‘s bizarre.

Karan: I read it somewhere that the Prince of Morocco proposed to you?

Soha: We should ask my parents that because they‘ll know more than me. Sometimes proposals come that are filtered?

So, make sure you book your couch space for this Sunday as Karan catches up with the super sexy nawab and his talented kid-sister on Koffee with Karan this Sunday, March 11th on Koffee with Karan, on Star One and Star World, at 9 p.m.

NEW DELHI: New York State Independence Party Chairman Frank MacKay will be one of the presenters at the Bollywood Awards Ceremony being held on May 26 at the Nassau Coliseum in Long Island, which will see the American-debut performances of a host of Indian celebrities including Rang De Basanti?s Soha Ali Khan and Gangster?s Kangana Ranaut.

Soha, daughter of actress Sharmila Tagore and the Nawab of Pataudi and sister of Saif Ali Khan, will be performing to a medley of musical hits. Soha, studied at Oxford University and is accredited with a Master?s in International Relations from the London School of Economics. In addition to acting in a number of light-hearted and candy floss romantic films, she also received critical acclaim for her performances in Rituparno Ghosh?s Antar Mahal and Rakeysh Mehra?s Rang De Basanti.

Kangana Ranaut from Himachal Pradesh made her debut as a bar dancer in Gangster and of a mentally-ill girl in Woh Lamhe (believed to be based on the life of Parveen Babi). She is now acting in Suneel Darshan?s Shaka Laka Boom Boom and Anurag Basu?s Metro. Ranaut bagged Best Debut Awards At the Star Screen and GIFA (Global Indian Film Awards) ceremonies. Vivek Oberoi and Mona Singh, who will be the master of ceremonies at the Awards ceremony expected to be attended by 15,000 people, are also making their American debut.

MacKay was just appointed to the Board of Directors of the Bollywood Group by Kamal Dandona, Chairman of the Bollywood Group. MacKay he published his first music publication, "Network", at the age of 18 in 1985. He has since launched three nightclubs and promoted the San Francisco-based heavy metal band Testament. By 2000, MacKay became the youngest State Chairman of a political party in New York State history and has been re-elected as State Chair of the Independence Party of New York five times.

Other performers who have confirmed their participation include Akshay Kumar, Arjun Rampal, Urmila Matonkar, Neha Dhupia, Raghav, and Pakistan?s actress-singer Shahida Mini. Other?s attending the show will include Hollywood?s Danny Glover, Phylicia Rashad, Anupam Kher, Suresh Oberoi, Upen Patel, Rajkumar Hirani, and Dr. Sanjay Gupta of CNN.

MUMBAI: BIG 92.7 FM, the Radio initiative from Adlabs Films Pvt. Ltd., announced the latest addition to its kitty, with the launch of its station in Hissar. The launch of BIG 92.7 FM in the city marks the launch of the 13th station of the network. The station is currently playing back to back music and would soon entertain the city of Hissar with its mix of programmes.

In the first phase of its launches, BIG 92.7 FM set up Stations in the cities of Delhi, Hyderabad, Chennai, Kolkata, Bangalore, Mumbai, Jammu, Srinagar, Aligarh, Jhansi & Bikaner. The second phase of launches will take BIG 92.7 FM to several mini-metros, taking the total count of Stations to 45 and making it the BIGGEST private FM network in the country!

With the endeavor to create high aspiration and excitement, BIG 92.7 FM has taken aboard several well-known personalities and has created an exciting programming mix that ensures relevant and credible information to their listeners. BIG 92.7 FM promises not only to entertain but to inform and empower the listener with utilities that one may take for granted.

The Station has designed utilities such as traffic and weather updates along with time checks and health tips to help optimize the listener‘s time management and health. Another important programme offering of the Station is the "Acknowledgement of local Heroes in Society". BIG 92.7 FM aims to honor the deserving common man who works relentlessly and voluntarily for the betterment of society.

To ensure the highest aspirational appeal and connect, with its listeners, BIG 92.7 FM has signed on none other than Abhishek Bachchan as the Brand Ambassador.

Big 92.7 FM is already creating waves in the metros of Delhi, Hyderabad, Chennai, Kolkata, Bangalore, Mumbai and in the cities of Jammu, Srinagar, Aligarh, Jhansi, Bikaner, Chandigarh and is all set to entertain the city of Hissar.

Commenting on the station‘s entry into Hissar, Mr.Tarun Katial, COO, BIG 92.7 FM, said "We have been receiving very encouraging responses from all the cities where we have launched in so far. We are very excited about launching in the city of Hissar and we want the tunes of BIG 92.7 FM to echo across the length and the breadth of the country.

The programming mix of the station has been put together after much research and understanding of our listeners requirements. It is our aim to create content that is relevant, credible and has an aspirational value to the listeners. We are completely geared and are eagerly looking forward to entertaining the city of Hissar. We are sure the city will welcome us with open arms and will enjoy the programmes on our Station."

With an aim to touch 200 million listeners, which is every fifth Indian across the country; every third urban Indian and every eighth Indian in rural areas, BIG 92.7 FM is on its way to grab the pulse of the Indian populace.

With all its offerings put together, BIG 92.7 FM promises lesser clutter and richer reach by offering a super combination of wider coverage and better frequency.